Financial Controller

Financial Controller - PERE - OUR CLIENT is a vertically integrated real assets business, combining traditional acquisition, development and leasing activity with operational capabilities including sourcing, securing and delivering smart energy systems and related asset marketing and management with a broader vision to deploy extensive (£Billions) of capital to grow a consolidated portfolio across the UK and Europe - expanding the portfolio both through acquisition and development and optimizing existing assets for greater value and growth.

The newly created Finance Controller role will initially focus on financial management of the UK portfolio and related SPVs and reviewing the current outsourcing providers and accounting software to optimise processes in a cost-effective manner. Additionally, it will act as the thought partner to the COO/CFO, leadership team, and other business stakeholders on matters related to Finance. The role will be based in W1 from post summer.

THE ROLE: RESPONSIBILITIES of the FINANCIAL CONTROLLER will include:

• Ensuring that the reporting, loan structuring and coordination and review of outsourced service providers and financial management works smoothly to support the effective operation of the portfolio.
• Supporting the broader leadership team with analysis, interpretation, and insights regarding the financial condition of the assets.
• Accounting / Audit: Ensuring accurate and timely maintenance of accounting records of the portfolios’ entities according to relevant accounting standards (e.g. UK GAAP) managing any outsourced providers in a cost effective and timely manner.
• Managing the processes to prepare for and execute the audit(s) of the group’s financial activities to ensure audit(s) completed on time with no major issues.
• Ensuring that all amounts due are collected, and amounts owing are paid accurately and in a timely manner.
• Financial Reporting: Managing the preparation of all financial reporting including statutory, Board, investor, and business-related. Ensure that all reports are accurate, timely and meet the needs of the relevant stakeholders.
• FP&A: Working closing with the Asset Management team, manage and maintain the financial and cash flow plans, budgets and reforecasts, monthly and quarterly variance reporting, and detailed analysis of the financial performance of the portfolio to drive improved outcomes. Orchestrate a collaborative process, with relevant signoffs at key milestones, for periodic reforecasting to adjust the plan.
• Treasury: Oversee the banking, cash position, cash forecasting, loan management and lender reporting including covenant compliance and financing activities of the portfolio to ensure that the business has adequate financial resources to operate.
• Valuation: Manage the Finance aspects of the Valuation process and the corresponding management controls.
• Tax & Compliance: Ensuring tax and transfer pricing structures optimised and entities complete VAT and corporate tax filings, and maintain compliance with relevant laws and regulations, liaising with external advisors where necessary. Financing controls in place and accurate and timely filings.
• Transaction Support: Provide financial and tax transaction support and ensure financial risks mitigated and structures are optimised.
• Finance Technology: Drive enhancements in financial systems, controls, and reporting processes to improve efficiency and accuracy, selecting and managing the implementation of a suite of tools and vendors to support Finance-related processes and data with leading class digital capabilities and automation.

THE PERSON: SKILLS REQUIREMENTS to apply for the Financial Controller role you should possess:

• Strong academics with a relevant accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA) and at least c4 years+ relevant post-qualification experience.
• Experience within the real estate or PERE sectors is a must.
• Experience with UK GAAP, IFRS, creating financial statements and awareness of consolidations.
• Experience of oversight and managing 3rd party service providers including SLAs.
• Cross-border funds, multi-entity and with European jurisdictions preferred.
• Familiarity with complex tax structures, SPVs and fund reporting is a plus.
• Proficiency in using accounting software and other IT tools to enhance efficiency (e.g. Dynamics).
• Deep experience in transforming and improving the calibre of processes and onboarding new accounting systems.
• Effective communication skills to liaise with multiple stakeholders with experience in managing outsourced teams.
• Experience working in a high-performing team and ideally of working in a fast-paced private equity environment.
• An individual who has the mental agility and expertise to handle the PE investor contacts and be part of a senior finance team.
• Ability to think strategically and provide financial insights that guide executive decision-making.
• Desirable - European language skills.

BENEFITS:

• The company is growing quickly and plans to expand rapidly, and this role will be pivotal in that journey.
• The role allows the successful candidate to get involved in an ambitious scale up with capital and help to shape the growth and culture of the business.
• Ability to gain exposure to complex, cross-border real estate transactions. New/Nascent Asset Class with Private Equity Backing: The candidate will have the chance to shape the future of a new business in a nascent sector that is well-positioned to become a major institutional real estate asset class.
• Be part of a highly dynamic, entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment with institutional backing.
• Discretionary Bonus.
• Hybrid working.
• Benefits including pension, health and life insurance.
• Lunches.

To learn more about our company and vacancies we are currently working on, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn